Planar-Beam, Light Detection and Ranging System

Abstract

A planar-beam, light detection and ranging (PLADAR) system can include a laser scanner that emits a planar-beam, and a detector array that detects reflected light from the planar beam.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system for an autonomous vehicle comprising:
 a laser source configured to generate a laser beam;   a detector array including a plurality of photodetectors respectively configured to detect return light resulting from the laser beam reflecting off one or more objects in an environment of the autonomous vehicle; and   one or more processors configured to:
 access a feedback data signal indicative of a condition change in the environment of the autonomous vehicle; and 
 generate one or more adjustment parameters configured to dynamically adjust one or more components of the LIDAR system based on the condition change. 
   
     
     
         2 . The LIDAR system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more adjustment parameters comprises a pulse rate associated with the laser source. 
     
     
         3 . The LIDAR system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more adjustment parameters comprises a scan rate associated with the laser source. 
     
     
         4 . The LIDAR system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more adjustment parameters comprises a laser intensity associated with the laser source. 
     
     
         5 . The LIDAR system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more adjustment parameters comprises a detector sensitivity of the detector array. 
     
     
         6 . The LIDAR system of  claim 1 , wherein the condition change in the environment of the autonomous vehicle comprises a change in an amount of traffic in the environment of the autonomous vehicle. 
     
     
         7 . The LIDAR system of  claim 1 , wherein the condition change in the environment of the autonomous vehicle comprises a change in speed of the autonomous vehicle. 
     
     
         8 . The LIDAR system of  claim 1 , wherein the condition change in the environment of the autonomous vehicle comprises a change in probability of encountering a potential hazard. 
     
     
         9 . The LIDAR system of  claim 1 , wherein the condition change in the environment of the autonomous vehicle comprises a weather condition change. 
     
     
         10 . The LIDAR system of  claim 1 , wherein the feedback data signal is received from a data processing system on-board the autonomous vehicle that is configured to determine the condition change. 
     
     
         11 . The LIDAR system of  claim 1 , wherein the feedback data signal is further indicative of a data pattern obtained from the detector array. 
     
     
         12 . An autonomous vehicle comprising:
 a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system comprising:   a laser source configured to generate a laser beam;   a detector array including a plurality of photodetectors respectively configured to detect return light resulting from the laser beam reflecting off one or more objects in an environment of the autonomous vehicle; and
 one or more processors configured to: 
   access a feedback data signal indicative of a condition change in the environment of the autonomous vehicle; and   generate one or more adjustment parameters configured to dynamically adjust one or more components of the LIDAR system based on the condition change.   
     
     
         13 . The autonomous vehicle of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more adjustment parameters comprises a pulse rate, a scan rate, or a laser intensity associated with the laser source. 
     
     
         14 . The autonomous vehicle of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more adjustment parameters comprises a detector sensitivity of the detector array. 
     
     
         15 . The autonomous vehicle of  claim 12 , wherein the condition change in the environment of the autonomous vehicle comprises a change in an amount of traffic in the environment of the autonomous vehicle. 
     
     
         16 . The autonomous vehicle of  claim 12 , wherein the condition change in the environment of the autonomous vehicle comprises a change in speed of the autonomous vehicle. 
     
     
         17 . The autonomous vehicle of  claim 12 , wherein the condition change in the environment of the autonomous vehicle comprises a change in probability of encountering a potential hazard. 
     
     
         18 . The autonomous vehicle of  claim 12 , wherein the condition change in the environment of the autonomous vehicle comprises a weather condition change. 
     
     
         19 . The autonomous vehicle of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a data processing system configured to receive LIDAR data from the LIDAR system and to identify objects in an environment of the autonomous vehicle; and   an autonomous vehicle control system configured to control at least one or more of a steering system, a braking system, or an acceleration system of the autonomous vehicle based on the objects.   
     
     
         20 . An autonomous vehicle control system comprising:
 a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system comprising:   a laser source configured to generate a laser beam;   a detector array including a plurality of photodetectors respectively configured to detect return light resulting from the laser beam reflecting off one or more objects in an environment of an autonomous vehicle; and
 one or more processors configured to: 
   access a feedback data signal indicative of a condition change in the environment of the autonomous vehicle; and   generate one or more adjustment parameters configured to dynamically adjust one or more components of the LIDAR system based on the condition change.